Photo Credit: Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Robby Springborn tallied his 1,000th career point on Senior Day at the SDC Gym today. Unfortunately, it was in a losing effort as visiting Hillsdale came away with a 64-56 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference basketball victory.

Long-range shooting proved to be the difference in the game. The Chargers (14-10 overall, 12-8 GLIAC) were 8-of-19 from 3-point range while the Huskies (12-13, 9-11) were 0-of-13.

“It was a bad day for the seniors, and I feel bad for them,” said head coach Kevin Luke. “In today’s day and age, if you don’t make a 3-pointer, you’re not going to win.”

Neither team led by more than six in the opening 20 minutes before Hillsdale went into the locker room up 32-28.

The second half saw the Huskies remain within 45-39 after Mike Hojnacki’s three-point play at the 10-minute mark. HC nailed a 3-pointer on the next trip down the floor and margin grew as big as 13 points over the next few minutes.

Six straight points from Brandon Ball and another Hojnacki bucket pulled the Black and Gold within eight with five minutes to play. They never came any closer.

Ball tallied 13 points to lead the team in scoring for the second straight game. Hojnacki added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Springborn eclipsed the 1,000-point mark with a jumper in the paint with 2:23 to play. He finished with eight points.

In all, four Michigan Tech seniors played their final home games. Ball, Springborn, Sean Geary and Fedrick Bowe were all honored during a ceremony prior to tipoff.

Tech forced 16 turnovers while committing just 12, but it couldn’t overcome a 35 percent shooting mark from the field. Hillsdale made 41 percent of its looks including 42 percent from behind the arc.

Michigan Tech will head to GLIAC North Division-leading Lake Superior State on Thursday (Feb. 26) for its next game. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

Note: Springborn became the 22nd player in school history with 1,000 career points. He finished the day with 1,002 ... Tech women's basketball player Sarah Stream also reached the 1,000-point milestone in the opening game of the doubleheader. It marks the second straight year that Michigan Tech had a men's and women's player reach 1,000 points on the same night. Catherine Rottier and Tim Strom did it last Jan. 17 in a twin bill vs. Wayne State.